Asian cucumber salad

Tips for enhancing your Asian cucumber salad

Learn how to lift your Asian cucumber salad to new heights with a few neat tips and tricks. These suggestions will allow you to make the perfect salad every time.

Salting for crunch and flavour

To ensure your cucumbers are perfectly seasoned and remain crunchy in a salad, it is important to salt them beforehand. Sprinkling salt on cucumbers before adding them to your salad initiates a 'sweating' process that enhances their texture and enriches the overall flavour of the salad. Allow the cucumbers to sit with the salt to draw out excess moisture, but remember to thoroughly rinse off any remaining salt and dry them well afterwards. This step prevents the salad dressing from becoming diluted and helps the cucumbers better absorb the delicious flavours of the dressing.

Try our spicy Asian cucumber salad

Our recipe takes a few simple ingredients and turns them into a refreshing Asian cucumber salad. Every bite of the bright, crisp cucumbers offers a burst of diverse flavours, from sweet and savoury to spicy and refreshing. The salad is dressed with a delicious dressing made from classic Asian ingredients like soy sauce and rice vinegar that ties all the flavours together.

For more salads and vegetable-based sides, try our Asparagus salad with tender chicken or oven-roasted vegetables, perfectly suited to accompany rich meats or other main dishes.

Flavourful dressing with sweet, savoury, and spicy notes

Let the delicious dressing, with its sweet, savoury, and spicy flavours, coat the crisp cucumbers. Making the perfect dressing is a delicate balancing act, skilfully combining sweet honey, spicy chilli, savoury soy sauce, and the tangy sharpness of vinegar. Add the nutty nuances of sesame oil and a burst of aromatic garlic to elevate the dressing, making the salad truly stand out.

Delightful crunchy and fresh topping

Our Asian cucumber salad delights with its crunchy and fresh topping. The toasted sesame seeds add a delightful crunch that complements the crisp cucumbers beautifully. Fresh coriander introduces zesty and bright notes, which pair perfectly with the slices of fresh red chilli. While the salad may appear simple at first, it quickly reveals itself as a true cascade of bright flavours. It is no wonder that the Asian cucumber salad is as popular as it is.

What to serve with the Asian cucumber salad?

The crisp and refreshing Asian cucumber salad is an ideal accompaniment for a variety of dishes, particularly those with bold, rich, and savoury flavours. Pair it with the robust taste of grilled meats like Korean bulgogi and teriyaki chicken, which are known for their savoury and sweet taste, respectively.

Bring Asian cucumber salad to buffets, pot lucks, or big barbecue gatherings where food and grilled meats are abundant. Who would not enjoy a bright salad to balance all the savoury meats?

Get creative with the recipe

The Asian Cucumber Salad shines in its ability to take on diverse flavours from all over Asia. Adding just a few simple ingredients allows you to shape this salad to suit your palate. 

For a Thai-inspired version, add fish sauce and lime juice, which add depth along with tangy notes. You can also mix in Gochujang paste to add a sweet heat that is characteristic of Korean cuisine. For a Japanese touch, scatter chive blossoms over the salad for a subtle flavour and a bit of colour. Feel free to add shredded daikon radish, a bit of wasabi for heat, or a splash of ponzu sauce for citrusy notes, allowing your taste buds to experience the culinary delights of Asia.

Do not hesitate to experiment with textures as well. Crushed peanuts can add a satisfying crunch, while avocado provides a creamy counterbalance to the crisp cucumbers. Fresh herbs like mint or Thai basil bring an extra layer of freshness to the dish. Adjust the components to meet your needs – add more liquid honey for sweetness, or reduce the chilli flakes or gochugaru for a milder flavour.